Wendy Davis sounds like candidate at fundraiser

By Carla Marinucci

Updated 1:40 am, Saturday, August 17, 2013

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, left, joins a sister Democrat, Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis, on a leadership panel at a fundraiser Friday in San Francisco.
Photo: Liz Hafalia, Staff

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, left, joins a sister Democrat,...

Enthusiasm for a possible gubernatorial run by state Sen. Wendy Davis has grown since an appearance by her two months ago at Discovery Green in support of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund's Stand with Texas Women rally.

Photo: Billy Smith II, Staff

Enthusiasm for a possible gubernatorial run by state Sen. Wendy...

Democrat state senators, from left, Kirk Watson, Wendy Davis, Leticia Van de Putte and Royce West participate in a pro-abortion rights rally at the state Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Monday July 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Statesman.com, Jay Janner)
Photo: Jay Janner, AP

SAN FRANCISCO - Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis was the main attraction Friday in San Francisco at a gathering of hundreds of women who celebrated a strategy that would counter efforts by conservative forces in several states and Washington to restrict abortions and funding for contraceptives: electing more women to office in next year's elections.

Davis, who became a sensation with her 13-hour filibuster this summer when she took on Texas Gov. Rick Perry and the state's GOP majority over abortion rights, told the crowd she was looking "very, very seriously" at a run for governor. Perry is not seeking re-election.

"It's incredibly flattering to be asked," she told the audience at the fundraiser sponsored by Emily's List, the Democratic abortion-rights lobby that backs female candidates. Emily's List raised $52 million in 2012.

Calls race 'winnable'

Speaking like a candidate, the Fort Worth Democrat said a run for governor could be "a hard journey."

Saying the race was "winnable," Davis added, "I really think hard things are worth fighting for, and … we have a real opportunity in the state of Texas."

Friday's event came against the backdrop of lawmakers in Washington, D.C., and in several states pushing to ban abortions earlier - at 20 weeks in Texas under a law that Perry signed last month - and impose requirements that would make it more difficult for abortion clinics to operate.

California has some of the nation's strongest laws protecting abortion rights. Progressive activists here are raising money in hopes of blunting a conservative trend in much of the country over the past five years, when 29 states have enacted restrictions on abortions.

Those restrictions include mandatory counseling and waits of up to 72 hours, with nearly a dozen states now requiring ultrasounds before the procedure.

More than one issue

The women who attended the conference said they were energized by the possibility of electing more women to the U.S. House and Senate, not only to give the chambers more diverse voices but also to break up the frustrating gridlock on Capitol Hill.

While the reproductive-rights issue has galvanized liberal women voters and candidates, many at Friday's event said they are also interested in immigration reform, gun control, equal pay and education.

"When I think about women, and what women bring to the conversation politically, there's such an incredible power that comes from who we are," said Davis. "We fight like hell for everything we hold dear, and I think that's why we scare our counterparts so much."